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The spectacular ruins of such places as Palmyra and Petra bear witness to the wealth and power which could be derived from the silks, spices and incense of the east. Such goods were highly prized in the Roman Empire, and merchants were ready to face the perils of deserts, oceans, warfare and piracy to meet the demand for their wares. But exactly how did the trade in luxury goods operate, and to whose benefit? Gary K. Young's study offers unprecedented coverage of the major trading regions of Egypt, Arabia, Palmyra, and Syria, with detailed analysis of the routes used and of the roles of all the participants. He looks closely at the influence of the commerce in eastern goods both on the policy of the Roman imperial government, and upon local communities in the East itself. His findings contradict the standard view that the imperial government had a strong political interest in the eastern trade; rather its primary concern was the tax income the trade brought in. He also demonstrates the need for greater recognition of the efforts made by local authorities to exploit the trade to their own advantage. Incorporating the considerable archaeological research that has been undertaken in recent years, this comprehensive survey provides fresh insight into an important aspect of the eastern Roman Empire.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

This is a book of major importance: well written and readable, but also dense and difficult, controversial . . . and in the main very persuasive.Judith Evan Grubbs, Sweet Briar College, American Historical Review, October 2002

The plethora of useful information included in the book will make it an invaluable tool for specialists and students alike.Constantina Katsari, University of Exeter, Bryn Mawr Classical Review, July, 2002

About the Author

Gary K. Young is a historian of the Roman East. He has investigated many aspects of the social and economic life of the region, and its significance to the Roman Empire as a whole. He is currently a tutor in Ancient History at the University of Tasmania.